Permax (pergolide mesylate) is a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Restless Leg Syndrome. Since its development in 1989 by Eli Lilly & Co., Inc., more than half a million patients worldwide have taken the drug. In 2003, the drug's manufacturer added valvular heart disease to the drug's warnings but put the risk extremely low, at roughly five in 100,000 patients. Recent studies, however, have disputed the risk as considerable.

Permax is a powerful dopamine agonist which is derived from ergot, a parasitic fungus that grows on certain grains and grasses. Unlike other similar dopamine agonists, Permax has been associated with significant increases in valvular heart disease.

On January 4, 2007, European researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine the results of a study which revealed that roughly one-fourth of patients taking Permax developed moderate to severe heart valve problems. Another study by German doctors also discovered that patients taking Permax and Dostinex, a similar dopamine agonist, were five to seven times more likely to develop problems with heart valves than those patients on other Parkinson's drugs.

The mechanism of action in Permax is similar to the mechanism in the diet-drug fenfluramine (Fen-Phen), which was linked to vavlular heart disease in the late 1990s.

The Law Office of B. Joseph Davis is currently investigating claims of patients who took Permax who have developed valvular heart disease, suffered heart attacks or experienced other complications from use of the medication. If you or a loved one has suffered heart valve, a heart attack or similar damage or have concerns about your exposure to this medication, please contact us for a free, no-obligation review of your potential case.

What is Valvular Heart Disease?

Valvular heart disease is a serious condition that affects and impairs the heart's normal function. Typically, the heart works as a pump that moves blood through the lungs and body. Inside the heart, valves prevent the blackflow of blood into the heart. Patients with valvular heart disease often have one or more valves which leak, resulting from the failure of the valve to seal properly and significant amounts of blood can flow backwards. This regurgitation creates more work for the heart. Often, the only procedure to reverse valve damage is valve replacement surgery. Without such surgery, severe valve disease can put the patient at risk of death from heart failure or heart attack.

Protect Your Legal Rights

Patients who have taken Permax in the past may carry significantly higher risks for vavlular heart disease. If you or a loved one has taken Permax and has experienced symptoms or have been diagnosed with valvular heart disease, including aortic, tricuspid and/or mitral regurgitation, you should contact an attorney to investigate your legal rights.

What is Parkinson's

Approximately 1.5 million Americans and 6 million persons worldwide have Parkinson's. The condition is a neurological disease caused by lack of the brain chemical, dopamine. While Permax is not the primary drug used in the treatment of the disease, it is often used in conjunction or in replacement of others. Last year, sales of Permax amounted to $10 million worldwide.